Wire-tightener



No. 624,524. Patented May 9, I899. J. M. ULINGEB.

WIRE TIGHTENER.

(Application filed Au e, 1896 WITNESSES ATTORNEY.

\ FNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

WlRE-T-IG HTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 624,524, dated May 9,1899.

Application filed August 6 1898.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB M. OLINGER, a citizen of the UnitedStates,residin g atVien na Cross Roads, in the county of. Clark'andState of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inWire-Tighteners, of which the followingisaspecification,reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inwire-tighteners.

The objects of my invention are to provide a frame forming a portion ofmy improved tightener which may be made in separate pieces, but whichmay be readily brought togetherand form ed into a perfectly-rigid frame,and also at the same time will permit of the use of more than one formof Winding-drum to be used; to provide a suitable windingdrum by whichthe more the wire is tightened the nearer the center of the drum will bethe tension of said wire, and also to provide a tightener which may beused at any point between the fence-posts to tighten one of the strandsof wire composing a wire fence, and at thesame time one which will beheld in perfect alinement with the wire being tightened no matter whatmay be the tension of the wire. I

This invention also relates to details of construction and arrangementhereinafter appearing, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, on which like reference-letters indicatecorresponding parts, Figure 1 is a side view of my improved tightener;Fig. 2, an end View of the same; Fig. 3, a plan view of what is shown inFig. 1; Fig. 4, a partial view of a wire fence with my tightener appliedto one of the wires, and Fig. 5 a detail view of the partsforming theframe of my tightener and showing another form of winding-drum.

I am aware that there are a great variety of wire-tighteners, but so faras I have observed there are none which may be used at any point betweenthe fence-posts and which will not be twisted out of alinement with theI wire when said wire is being tightened. With my invention Ihavecompletely overcome this defect, and at the same time have provided atightener which is composed of a small number of parts adapted to bebrought together Serial No. 687,962. no model-1 structure composed ofsides B and 0, respectively. Each of these sides is similarlyconstructed, and consequently the description of one will be understoodas applying to the other. Preferably from the upper edge of the side 13extends a lug or projection D, in which is formed a hole E, throughwhich a pinF is adapted to be inserted for thepurpose hereinafterappearing. An extension J projects from one end of the side B andisslightly grooved at its outer end, as shown at K, to conform to theshape of the wire and act as a'guide therefor. Above and below thisextension J are formed notches L. I

When it is desired to tighten the wire a slight amount, the form of drumM, 'as particularly shown in Fig. 5, is used. It will be seen that thisdrum is slotted throughout a portion of its length, as shown at N. Thisslot permits the drum to be placed over the side B. WVhen the drum hasbeen placed in such position, the side 0 is placed over the squared endP of said drum and brought into engagement with the side B, the lugs Iof one side projecting through the notchesL of the opposite side andadapted to be bent over to hold the parts in position, as clearly shownin Figs. 1 and 2. The shoulders U, formed on the extensions G, preventthe extensions J from completely closing the slotted openings G. When inthis position, the squared end P projects far enough beyond the side Oto permit the use of a wrench. for turning the drum. This latter, asshown in Fig.6, has a ratchet Q, cast or otherwise secured thereto,which is for the purpose of preventing the drum from unwinding when thepin is in engagement with said ratchet. In order that the drum may berotated without removing the pin F, I have provided a stop It on each ofthe sides B and C, the stop R of the side 0 being opposite the extensionI) of the side 13. It will thus be seen that when the pin is in positionthe drum will be prevented from rotating backward by reason of the teethof the ratchet Q coming in contact The letter A represents, a suitableframe wire and extend through the hole 0 in the with the pin F and thatwhen the drum is rotated to wind on the wire the pin will be I have apair of ratchets S and S, respectively.

Between these ratchets are formed the holes T and U at each side of thewire to be tightened. Through these respective holes are inserted therespective ends of the Wire to be tightened, and consequently as thedrum, is

turned to tighten the wire it will wind from said holes toward thecenter, whereby the line of strain on the wire-tightener will bepractically in line with the wire to be tightened, thus avoiding anytwisting strain on the ti-ghtener; but even should there be such strainthe tightener cannot get out of line, since the wire itself passesdirectly through the frame. Where a double ratchet is used, such asshown in Figs. 2 and 3, the same pin will act as a stop for each.

In order that the lugs Imay be readily bent to their required positionto embrace the opposite. side, I preferably form them from malleableiron.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Inawire-tightener, the combination with a frame structure composed oftwo interchangeable parts adapted to embrace the wire to be tightenedand be secured together, a

- drum therein for engaging with and tightening said wire, and one ormore ratchets secured to said drum between said parts, and means to'engage with said ratchets substantially as shown and described.

2. In a wire-tightener, the combination with a, two-part frame structureof a lug or extension projecting from each end of said parts, one ofsaid extensions from each part being slotted a portion of its length,one or more lugs extending from each of said slotted extensions andadapted to bind theparts together, substantially as shown and described.3. In a wire-t-ightener the combination with a two-part frame structure,of a lug or extension projecting from each end of each of said parts,one of said extensions from each part I being slotted'a portion of itslength, one or more lugs extending from each of said slotted.

I ing from near each end of each of said parts,

one extension from each part being slotted throughout a portion of itslength and having a pair of lugs for binding the parts together, of adrum, having a hole or opening each side of its center, rotatablymounted in said frame,

one or more ratchets connected with said drum between said parts and apin extending througha hole in one side of said frame and back of a stopon the other side of said frame and adapted to engage with said ratchetto prevent the drumfrom rotating backward, substantially as shown anddescribed.

5. In a wire-tightener, the combination with a two-part structure havinga drum mounted therein, said drum having one or more ratchets securedthereto between said parts, of a slotted extension projecting from oneend of each of the said parts, one or more lugs projecting from saidslotted extensions, one or i more shoulders formed on each of saidslotslotted part between the sides of said two part frame structureforming a connection between them, and a pin carried by said framestructure for engaging with the teeth on said ratchets, 'to preventtheir rotation in one direction but permit them to pass in the oppositedirection, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JACOB M. OLINGER.

WVitnesses:

W. M. MONAIR, O. L. SNIDER.

